Romeo and Juliet

By: William Shakespeare

Narrated by: Michael Sheen, Kate Beckinsale, full cast

Here is the full-cast production of Shakespeare's classic love story, fully dramatized from the complete text, and starring Michael Sheen as Romeo and Kate Beckinsale as Juliet.

Download the accompanying reference guide.Public Domain (P)1997 NAXOS AudioBooks Ltd.

Romeo & Juliet

Where does Romeo and Juliet rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

As for this recording, it's professional, for sure. The actors go a bit too fast (which tends to suck the meaning and sencerity out) so if I listen to it again I'll slow it down so I can get more out of the words. I'm glad for these recordings. I'd never be able to do all the reading I want if I had to actually only read these long ones. Thanks Audible!!

What did you like best about this story?

Well, who doesn't like Shakespeare? But some story lines are meatier than others. This one starts out as a comedy and ends up quite the opposite. Ends as a cautionary tale. Parents beware! You got plans for your kids? Hopes are good, but concrete plans that your kid will do this, or that, when they grow up... Well, look out!

The classic you love

If you love Romeo and Juliet you will very much enjoy this version of the classic story. The voices are wonderful. And the text, well it's tragic.

Sound Quality is the only drawback

The sound quality of this production made me imagine someone propping a microphone in front of a television showing Romeo & Juliet being performed. It's tinny-sounding, and there are background sounds of birds, wind, feet scuffling, etc, which dilute and diminish the voices to a small degree. It's not unbearable, just a bit distracting.
On the positive side, the actors are very good. Listening to this play was different from reading it on paper, or seeing it performed live... I caught different strands of relationship between the characters. The Nurse, played by Fiona Shaw, was especially brilliant.

Good for classroom use

I use this audio to allow students to follow the story while still using their imagination. However, the kiss is so cheesy that we had to stop the tape and let the class laugh for a long time. A year later, they still chuckle over that kiss.

Perfection!

This is the best version I've ever heard/seen. I LOVE Michael Sheen as Romeo! I listen to this as familiar background noise while I work, it is so comforting and beautiful.